SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: Treadaway, Kanning looking to propel Sandpoint boys lacrosse to another deep postseason run

Last season: 11-5 record with key wins over Lake City, Coeur d’Alene (3), Pocatello, and Mead. 

Head Coach: Ty Wilson, first season

Assistant Coach: Christian Crossingham

Athletes to watch: Sawyer Treadaway, sr.; Blayne Kanning, sr.; Ryan Doko, sr.; Kostas Bauck, sr.; Wylie Wimmer, jr.; Hayden Sisk, sr.

First-year head coach Ty Wilson, a 2016 Sandpoint graduate and former varsity lacrosse player, will look to lead Sandpoint to another successful season. Overall, the Bulldogs outscored their opponents 211-60 last year, setting the bar high for 2024. Wilson said the boys are ready for the challenge.

“I grew up here, coached middle school lacrosse for two seasons and then the junior varsity; once I heard about the position opening, I spoke my piece in regards to how well I know these boys,” Wilson said. “I have coached every single athlete on this team for multiple years now. Having that prior foundation and relationships with these guys and knowing what to expect was huge.”

Wilson said he believes all of his prior experiences, his overall vision, and the fact that his athletes feel comfortable around him blend well together for the upcoming season. He also said assistant coach Christian Crossingham also plays a huge role in the development of his athletes. Crossingham, a 2015 Sandpoint graduate, played at Capital University (NCAA Division III) located in Columbus, Ohio. In 2016, he started all 18 games for the Comets, finishing 226-of-363 in face-offs (best in Ohio Athletic Conference), and picking up 73 ground balls (fourth in OAC). 

“Technically Christian is the assistant coach, but he is also my offensive coordinator, and he and I are 50/50 on everything,” Wilson said. “To me, he is not an assistant by any means. He has that collegiate experience to back the offense he wants to run and I will stand by him. I trust his judgment.”

On the defensive end, Sawyer Treadaway and Hayden Sisk, who are both seniors, return after receiving all-conference honors last season. Treadaway was not only named all-conference first team, but received Idaho all-state first team honors; he was the only Bulldog named to the all-state first team list. Last year, it was rare that opponents scored on him. Sisk was named all-conference second team last year. He often forces players wide and baits them into taking shots at tough angles.

On offense, senior Blayne Kanning returns after scoring the second-most goals for Sandpoint in 2023. Last year, Kanning scored 37 goals, and accumulated 43 ground balls and dished out 13 assists. He also proved how clutch he is, scoring the game-winning goal in the final seconds of an 11-10 victory over Lake City. He’ll be the go-to option for the Bulldogs once again this season.

“Sawyer and Blayne are extremely solid players,” Wilson said. “They’re athletic, they have that fire in them and the proper attitude to just go for a full game and not stop.”

Wilson said junior Wylie Wimmer is someone to really watch out for this year at midfield. The Bulldogs lost a lot of midfielders to graduation last year, and Wilson is hoping Wimmer can fill-in the gaps alongside senior captain Kostas Bauck.

“I could see Wylie showing out at face-off and midfield this year,” Wilson said. “He’s really shaping up to be the player that he should be and I think he is going to do well for us.”

Also returning this year are seniors Austin Waud, Cameron Barrett, and Evan Holt, and junior Gage McElroy, who all made significant contributions last year.

The Bulldogs face four different opponents this year which includes Coronado (Nevada), Vallivue, Helena, and Central Valley. Facing a tougher schedule this year will be key for Sandpoint, who hopes to go deep into the postseason again.

“I’m excited for this year,” Wilson said. “It’s a very different dynamic from previous seasons. My goal, my job, has always been to grow these boys as players and get them to walk-on the varsity level and compete. Now, this year, I’ll get to compare and contrast certain players at different positions and see who is going to fill shoes in certain situations. It’s cool knowing everyone’s background in this group going into this season.”

Sandpoint Boys Lacrosse Schedule

3/15 – vs. Coronado (NV), 4 p.m. (@NNU University)

3/16 – vs. Vallivue, 8 a.m. (@NNU University)

3/16 – vs. Helena, 4:45 p.m. (@NNU University)

3/28 – @ Central Valley. 7 p.m.

4/9 – vs. Central Valley, 6 p.m.

4/11 – @ Lake City, 5:30 p.m.

4/16 – vs. Mead, 6 p.m

4/20 – @ Logos, 11 a.m.

4/23 – vs. Coeur d’Alene, 6 p.m.

4/26-27 – @ Butte Tourney

4/30 – @ ICA, 5 p.m.

5/2 – @ Mead. 5 p.m.

5/7 – vs. Lake City, 6 p.m.

5/8 – @ Coeur d’Alene, 6 p.m.

5/10-11 – TBD, Regional Playoffs

5/17-5/18 – @ Jackson Hole, State Playoffs

    Sandpoint's Blayne Kanning (right) high-fives former Bulldog Levi Balison after scoring a goal in a game held at War Memorial Field last season.